Page 122 - Keys To Community College Success

KEY 4.1 Support an idea with evidence.

Not big enough to clear its
Small size and low mass.
orbit of other small objects.
sh o u ld be reclassifi ed

PLUTO
4 as a dwarf p lan et.
CHAPTER Irregular orbit. (a collection of orbiting objects),
Resides in the Kuiper Belt
where other objects larger
than Pluto exist.

2. Is the information factual and accurate, or is it opinion?
A statement of fact is information presented as objectively real and verifiable (e.g.,
“The Internet is a research tool”). In contrast, a statement of opinion is a belief, con-
clusion, or judgment that is inherently difficult, and sometimes impossible, to verify
(e.g., “The Internet is always the best and most reliable research tool”). When you
critically evaluate materials, one test of the evidence is whether it is fact or opinion.
Key 4.2 defines important characteristics of fact and opinion.

KEY 4.2 Examine how fact and opinion differ.

FACTS INCLUDE STATEMENTS THAT . . . OPINIONS INCLUDE STATEMENTS THAT . . .
. . . deal with actual people, places, objects, or events. . . . show evaluation. Any statement of value indicates an opinion.
Example: “In 2002, the European Union introduced the physical Words such as bad, good, pointless, and beneficial indicate value
coins and banknotes of a new currency—the euro—that was judgments. Example: “The use of the euro has been beneficial to all
designed to be used by its member nations.” the states of the European Union.”

. . . use concrete words or measurable statistics. Example: . . . use abstract words. Complicated words like misery or success
“The charity event raised $50,862.” usually indicate a personal opinion. Example: “The charity event was
a smashing success.”
. . . describe current events in exact terms. Example: . . . predict future events. Statements about future occurrences
“Mr. Barrett’s course has 378 students enrolled this semester.” are often opinions. Example: “Mr. Barrett’s course is going to set a
new enrollment record this year.”

. . . avoid emotional words and focus on the verifiable. . . . use emotional words. Emotions are unverifiable. Words such
Example: “Citing dissatisfaction with the instruction, seven out of as delightful or miserable express an opinion. Example: “That class is
the twenty-five students in that class withdrew in September.” a miserable experience.”

. . . avoid absolutes. Example: “Some students need to have . . . use absolutes. Absolute qualifiers, such as all, none, never,
a job while in school.” and always, often express an opinion. Example: “All students need
to have a job while in school.”

Source: Adapted from Ben E. Johnson, Stirring Up Thinking. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1998, pp. 268–270.

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